This lawyer spends her evenings mastering intricate footwork – and it’s made her better at her job

When Ms Zoe Tan took the stage last October, the lawyer by training was stepping into a practice defined by rhythm, control and expression. 

She was performing Kathak – a classical Indian dance known for its intricate footwork, dizzying spins and expressive storytelling – at the Nrityalaya Black Box in Bras Basah Complex. 

The performance marked the culmination of months of near-daily practice for the 33-year-old, who had been selected as the first soloist for Mehfil, a platform by Bhaskar’s Arts Academy that spotlights Kathak practitioners.

Ms Tan, an in-house legal counsel, has been learning the dance form for six years. Twice a week after office hours, she attends lessons, swapping her office wear for kurtas and ankle bells. 

Over time, the discipline has become more than a creative outlet, offering her a grounding force that shapes how she manages pressure and maintains a sense of self beyond her profession.  

“Law is usually seen as a very clinical profession so my colleagues are often surprised when they find out about my dance pursuits,” she says. “It opens up conversations beyond work, and they begin to see that there are more facets to who you are.” 

From curiosity to commitment

Ms Tan has always loved dancing and the arts. As a child, she learnt ballet, and later explored Bollywood dance in her late teens – it was through the latter that she first encountered Kathak. 

“I was drawn by how it combines rhythm and grace while telling a story,” she says. “The beautiful costumes worn by Kathak dancers were definitely part of what drew me in, too.”

She eventually found out about Kathak dance classes at Bhaskar’s Arts Academy, where she has been training under her guru.

“What makes Kathak especially compelling to me is how powerful, precise and technically rigorous it is, while at the same time demanding immense grace, subtlety and emotional depth,” she adds. 

While classical Indian dance is fundamentally a solo art form, the process of learning and rehearsing it is deeply communal.

Through shared classes and long hours of practice, Ms Tan formed close bonds with fellow dancers, many of whom come from varied professions and now support one another well beyond the studio. She recalls attending a dance friend’s wedding in India and, subsequently, a baby shower in the Indian tradition – experiences that offered her a glimpse into cultural traditions she had not previously encountered.

Participating in international performances further widened that circle, connecting her with dancers from countries such as Indonesia and India. 

“These relationships have been one of the most unexpected and rewarding aspects of my journey in the arts,” she says.

Learning beyond the studio

One of the most meaningful parts of Kathak, she says, has been the relationship with her teacher. The dance is passed down not just through steps but through stories, values and time – a slow, steady form of mentorship. 

“It’s not just about learning dance steps – your guru also guides you in understanding certain values and broader lessons about life. It feels like a form of mentorship, where knowledge and wisdom are shared over time,” she says.

Kathak has also opened a world she never knew growing up. While she did not grow up learning about Hindu deities or speaking Hindi, she has come to appreciate the layers behind each movement – from gestures in devotional pieces, such as the ringing of temple bells, to technical terms or “bols” used in the dance. 

Guided by her guru, Ms Tan learnt to see these unfamiliar elements not as barriers, but as ways to understand the deeper meaning behind the movements. 

She recalls Chinese friends who had never watched Indian classical dance before sharing that they could still sense what was unfolding in a piece she performed. Moments like these, she says, underscore the power of art to bridge differences and connect people through shared emotional experiences. 

Meanwhile, the rigorous training process, one that emphasises discipline and resilience, carried into her professional life too.

“Training for performances has changed how I approach high-pressure situations at work,” she says. “Performing teaches you to stay calm under pressure and respond effectively to unexpected situations.”

Artistic director of Bhaskar’s Arts Academy Meenakshy Bhaskar says that while traditional Indian dance imparts cultural knowledge, it also instils focus, patience and a strong work ethic beyond the dance studio.

Performing, she says, builds poise, confidence and stage presence, while group rehearsals cultivate commitment, time management and shared responsibility. She adds that dance and music have also been shown to play a critical role in enhancing brain development, cognitive function and emotional intelligence. 

Ms Tan recognises that not everyone can commit to an art form as deeply. For those with limited time or energy, she suggests taking small steps, like watching a live arts performance. 

She stresses that Kathak is not simply an after-work hobby to her. 

“I see it as a lifelong journey, an important way through which I express myself and connect with the world. It exists alongside my career rather than competing with or being secondary to it.”

Ms Bhaskar adds: “Regular engagement with the arts nurtures creativity, critical thinking and imagination – skills that are increasingly valuable in everyday life and across professions. Together, these benefits demonstrate that the arts are not abstract or intangible luxuries, but essential contributors to individual well-being and a healthy, cohesive society.”

For Ms Tan, the arts keeps her healthy mentally, spiritually and emotionally, even if the biggest sacrifice for her has been time. 

“Art offers perspective and reminds us how small we are in the larger scheme of things through its awe-inspiring beauty. It serves as a meaningful counterbalance to work and the demands of everyday life.”

Discover how life can be better with the arts.

Find out more about #OurSGArts at the National Arts Council website